Broken neck may lead to compensation claim

Barry Hill was operating the vehicle at premises owned by Palletways (UK) - a firm founded in 1994 that now has more than 100 depots nationwide - in Lichfield in August 2008 when he suffered this injury.

The 60-year-old was hurt when one of the computer cabinets he was carrying fell on top of him as he attempted to stabilise it.

The resulted in him sustaining a gash to his head - as well as fractures to his neck and wrist - and the professional subsequently had to spend six days in hospital and 14 weeks in traction.

However, Mr Hill has been left partially disabled and also still suffers discomfort in his neck following the incident.

Lyn Spooner of the Health and Safety Executive observed: "This was a preventable incident that could easily have resulted in death or paralysis."

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